VEHICLE electrification has gained considerable ground in the four-wheel market, with Filipino motorists becoming more familiar with the benefits of hybrids and fully electric vehicles.
But electrified mobility is not limited to cars and SUVs. Proper electric motorcycles — not merely low-speed e-bikes — are also beginning to enter the market.
One of the latest is the Bajaj Chetak 3503, an electric scooter that combines a familiar nameplate with a modern battery-powered drivetrain.
First introduced in 1972, the Chetak officially arrived in the Philippines on July 25, 2026, during the inauguration of the country’s first dedicated Chetak showroom. The facility is located at the One Griffinstone Building in Filinvest Alabang, Muntinlupa.
While most modern scooters rely heavily on plastic body panels, the Chetak 3503 uses an all-steel body. This gives it a more traditional scooter appearance while providing a visual connection to the original Chetak.
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The electric scooter has a seat height of 775 mm and ground clearance of 168 mm. It weighs 124 kilograms, making it heavier than many small-displacement gasoline scooters but still manageable for daily city riding.
Underneath its steel body is an electric powertrain developed primarily for urban use. The Chetak 3503 is equipped with a 3.5-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery and produces a claimed maximum output of approximately 4 horsepower.
Its listed top speed ranges from 63 to 73 kph, depending on the riding configuration. That should be sufficient for city streets, although riders planning to use faster highways will need to consider the scooter’s performance limitations.
Bajaj claims the Chetak 3503 can travel up to 153 kilometers on a full charge. As with any electric vehicle, the actual range will depend on speed, rider weight, traffic conditions, terrain and the amount of regenerative braking available during the trip.
Charging the battery from empty to 80 percent takes approximately three hours. A full charge requires about five hours using the supplied charger.
The battery and electrical system carry an IP67 rating, which means they are designed to resist dust and temporary water immersion. This is particularly relevant in the Philippines, where riders regularly encounter heavy rain and flooded roads.
Still, an IP rating should not be treated as permission to ride through deep floodwater. Water depth, current and hidden road hazards remain serious concerns, regardless of the motorcycle’s electrical protection.
The Chetak 3503 comes with a fully digital instrument display and connected features. It also has regenerative braking, which recovers a portion of the energy normally lost during deceleration and returns it to the battery.
Riders can choose between Eco and Sport modes. Eco mode prioritizes efficiency and range, while Sport mode provides sharper acceleration and a more responsive throttle.
The scooter uses a single-sided leading-link front suspension, a layout that recalls the design of earlier European-style scooters. A monoshock is fitted at the rear.
Braking is handled by drum brakes at both ends. The Chetak rides on 12-inch wheels fitted with 90/90 tires at the front and rear.
Trimotors Technology Corp., the official Philippine distributor of Bajaj Chetak, said the electric scooter represents a new chapter for the brand and its urban-mobility business in the country.
Beyond the company’s statements, however, the Chetak will face the same questions confronting other electric motorcycles: charging access, long-term battery durability, replacement costs, resale value, and after-sales support.
Its P130,888 regular price also places it above many established gasoline-powered scooters. An introductory price of P115,888 brings it closer to premium 125cc and 150cc models, although buyers will still have to decide whether lower operating costs can justify the higher initial purchase price.
The Chetak 3503 offers something different from the growing number of small electric two-wheelers appearing on Philippine roads. It has the size, equipment, and construction of a conventional scooter, but without a gasoline engine.
For riders whose daily travel is mostly limited to the city and who have access to a reliable charging point at home, the Chetak 3503 could provide a practical introduction to electric motorcycling.
John Rey San Diego